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Test Match Special

The first time Sri Lanka came to town

Test Match Special

BBC

News, Sports, Sports News, Cricket

4.42.3K Ratings

🗓️ 30 August 2024

⏱️ 37 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Simon Mann looks back to 1984, when Sri Lanka played their first ever test in England. At Lord's, England captain David Gower chose to bowl after winning the toss on a warm late summer's day, much to the delight of one of England's bowlers at the time - Jonathan Agnew. Sri Lankan batter Sidath Wettimuny gave Aggers, and the rest of England's bowlers, grief scoring 190 in his first innings on the way to leading the experienced side to draw.

The three of them recall the first time Sri Lanka came to town for a test.

Transcript

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0:00.0

Before this BBC podcast kicks off, I'd like to tell you about some others you might enjoy.

0:05.0

My name's Will Wilkin and I Commission Music Podcast for the BBC.

0:08.0

It's a really cool job, but every day we get to tell the incredible stories behind songs, moments and movements,

0:14.7

stories of struggle and success, rises and falls, the funny, the ridiculous.

0:19.1

And the BBC's position at the heart of British music means we can tell those stories like no one else.

0:24.6

We were, are and always will be right there at the center of the narrative.

0:28.6

So whether you want an insightful take on music right now or a nostalgic deep dive into some of the most famous

0:34.9

moments in music check out the music podcasts on BBC Sounds.

0:38.6

BBC Sounds music radio podcasts.

0:43.6

You're listening to the TMS Podcast from BBC Radio 5 Live.

0:48.6

Now 40 years ago this week, Sri Lanka played their historic first test in England here at Lords.

0:55.5

It came at the end of a summer in which England had suffered a five-nill defeat to West

1:01.4

Indies but if they expected an easy ride against a team inexperienced in test

1:06.4

cricket, they were very wrong.

1:11.1

How is that way back? Very good square driver.

1:15.0

See that weather moving.

1:20.0

Lovely risky strokes. This is a marvelous shot that really raced away to the boundary.

1:29.0

But it wide, but he got right across to it and right over it.

1:32.0

And a tremendous shot there. I've got right across to it and right over it and tremendous shock.

1:35.0

So, to this be history in the making, both of them coming in to Burl to

1:39.5

Siddhat Wettimuni, who hits him firmly up the back foot. It's going down in the

1:43.6

third-burn boundary for four and he has come back for the second fielded in fact by

...

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